By Joanna Keen
Police1
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Operation Sunrise, an undercover sting by California’s Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT), has been underway for nearly a year.
According to California Highway Patrol, the task force has recovered more than $3.3 million in stolen vehicles.
An Aug. 31 CHP press release stated that the operation resulted in 50 grand jury indictments and the recovery of 172 stolen vehicles.
The operation was conducted at an undercover storefront, where suspects were captured on video selling stolen goods to undercover officers, 10 News San Diego reports.
The task force consisted of officers from CHP, local police and sheriff departments, and the San Diego District Attorneys office.
“Undercover officers assigned to the task force were able to infiltrate organized auto theft rings which were operating throughout San Diego County,” CHP Capt. Charles Leonard told 10 News.
Of the 50 people charged, 31 have been arrested, CHP said. The rest of the suspects are still at large.